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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Wild Bird Gunning percentages - |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:17 am
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Joined: 17 Dec 2015
Posts: 64
Location: Northern WI
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed outright?
Guessing of the birds taken home, 75% are DOA, with winged ruffed grouse accounting for the birds dying some moments later.
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season?
Yes.
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
Yes, GSP's since a kid, 2 currently, and just picked up an English Setter pup.
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
75-80%, with 10-15% pointed dead by my older GSP who has never had a strong retrieve.
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
Maybe 1 or 2 birds per year (of hundreds shot at) that I know were hit, are not recovered. Prairie grouse it's 0%, Ruffed Grouse is unfortunate but I've had experiences with a bird bobbling, showing a hit, then flying/gliding off for 1/4 mile into thick cover with an unsuccessful recovery effort. However, I think it's foolish for us to believe that there aren't some birds that fly away with bb's in them that appear totally unscathed, I know it happens.
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufacturers/size)
RST 2.5" 3/4 oz. 7.5 almost exclusively
Some reloads, hopefully more in the future.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
Yes, which is why I stick with the load as outlined above.
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
RGS/AWS
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
Walking along at 8 years old, 26 years with a gun in my own hands. |
_________________ It takes few words to speak the truth. |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:24 am
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Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Posts: 369
Location: Vermont
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How good are you at gunning wild birds with your 16 gauge gun?
1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
Woodcock grouse probably 80%
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
yes, not including waterfowl which sometimes goes into triple digits. i also shoot a lot of feral pigeons.
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
On my forth GSP he is 5 or will be on June 7
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
I usually lose a woodcock or two a year. Lost one pheasant in SD last year, we hunt preserves a lot after the season I don't recall ever losing one there
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve? Don't really have a good answer for that. The one we lost that we know of in SD last year that sailed. I shot very well there rarely need a followup shot
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size) I use Federal Premiums in my 28 , Usually handloads 7.5 shot or 8's. For pheasants I like Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 5's
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with? I have in the past especially with steel. I'm shooting my turkey gun(12) Wednesday so I'll try one of my new 16 concoctions 7/8 and 1oz. then.
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited? No DU only at present have PF in past.
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds? I'll be 62 Friday and have been since I was 14. |
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Posted:
Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:34 pm
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Joined: 31 Jan 2019
Posts: 55
Location: Idaho
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How good are you at gunning wild birds with your 16 gauge gun?
Just got my first 16 since I was ......... welll 16 which was 43 years ago so the answers here are base on 20 and 28 gauge.
1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
I dont track this but would guess 75%. This is not to say that I hit 75% of the birds I shoot at!!!
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
Yes. Probably more than double that. We can shoot 10 quail and 2 roosters a day here.
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
Yes. 3 American Brittany. 7 year old male, 4 year old female and 10 month old female.
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
Around 70%
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
15% maybe a tad higher.
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
Usually Kent 7.5’s in both gauges. This year will be shooting the 16 mainly and have already bought a couple cases or RST for it.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
No, I have plenty of other excuses for missing already
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
Not at this time. Really need to join PF and QF this year. Hasn’t QU been gone for about 5 years or so now?
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
Actively involved with a gun in my hands, 47 years. Tagging along started when I was about 6 or 7. |
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Posted:
Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:01 pm
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Member
![Member Member](images/theavatar.jpg)
Joined: 19 Nov 2013
Posts: 381
Location: NW Arkansas
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
Depends on the species: Wild Quail - ~50% DOA Ground; 40% Alive and usually moving around on the ground; 10% feathered or dropping a leg (crippled in other words), or escaping the dogs by running in a hole, poor scenting conditions, etc.
Pheasants - ~ 60% DOA ground; 20% Alive on ground, caught by dogs; 5% Alive on ground, runners that escape; 5% fly off crippled.
Ruffed grouse and woodcock: ~80-90% DOA ground; 10% alive but easily retrieved by dogs; 5% fly off crippled. None run off.
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
Yes, with rare exception.
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
Partial to English setters, but have owned pointers, droppers, wire-hairs, labs and hunted over GSPs, brits, and French britts.
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
Varies by individual dog: Currently, my young setter is at about 30%, but my brothers young pointer is at 90%. Lots of variability in finding coveys, singles, retrieving with individual dogs. Best dog I ever owned hated looking for dead; he was a covey dog supreme with a tremendous nose.
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
Tough question. What is a winged bird? My answer includes those shot down but alive and able to run as well as those obviously hit that sail for a ways (and are watched down). Through time and with current dogs, they find 80-90% of knocked down birds and probably 60-70% of sailing birds, if one is able to watch them down.
Conversely, with wild quail the dogs usually find a bird or two each year after a flush while looking for singles that is stone dead, even though no one was aware it was hit earlier.
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
A great variety of lead, steel, bismuth, hevishot. If going to the plains states, I use a 1 and 1/8 load of 7.5s in first barrel in case quail get up, and same in 5s in second tube. I use only Win CF reloads there, as they are 100% reliable in all my 16s if I do my part. With quail (or grouse, woodcock), I use 1 oz. of lead 8s in Win CFs or on Federal land 7/8 oz. of steel 7s in Cheddite-type hulls mostly (with occasional failure to extract). If using my NID on Fed land, I use bismuth or classic doubles.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
Some, and I also pattern all my guns to determine POI. For example, both my o/u's pattern the top barrel high, everything else is dead on.
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited? Yes, all.
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds? 60. 98% of upland hunting with 16 gauge.
Mike Widner, Author, A Life with Gentleman Bob and a Few of His Kinfolk. |
_________________ 16 gauges:
1954 Win M12 IC
1952 Ithaca M37 Mod
1955 Browning Auto-5 Mod
1940 Ithaca NID M/F
1959 Beretta Silver Hawk
Ranger 103-II M/F
Browning A-5 Sweet 16
Browning Citori Invector
Rem 870 Remchoke |
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Posted:
Mon May 06, 2019 7:43 pm
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Member
![Member Member](images/theavatar.jpg)
Joined: 17 Aug 2005
Posts: 75
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
Depends on species and conditions, between 60-70%
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
yes, almost always
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
yes, Pudelpointer
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
I never hunt birds without my dog, so more than 95% of the birds I suppose
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
difficult to say, because I'm sure that some birds are hit and assumed to be missed. Perhaps 10-15%
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
Various, depending on species, habitat, and season. I also handload.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
almost always
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
NO
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
for more than 40 years |
_________________ "At the periphery is where I can come to understand the central issues of living" - Hugh Brody |
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Posted:
Mon May 06, 2019 7:44 pm
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Member
![Member Member](images/theavatar.jpg)
Joined: 17 Aug 2005
Posts: 75
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
Depends on species and conditions, my guess is between 60-70%
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
yes, almost always
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
yes, Pudelpointer
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
I very seldom hunt birds without my dog, so more than 95% of the birds I suppose
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
difficult to say, because I'm sure that some birds are hit and assumed to be missed. Perhaps 10-15%
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
Various, depending on species, habitat, and season. I also handload.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
almost always
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
NO
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
for more than 40 years |
_________________ "At the periphery is where I can come to understand the central issues of living" - Hugh Brody |
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Posted:
Mon May 06, 2019 7:45 pm
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Member
![Member Member](images/theavatar.jpg)
Joined: 17 Aug 2005
Posts: 75
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
Depends on species and conditions, my guess is between 60-70%
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
yes, almost always
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
yes, Pudelpointer
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
I very seldom hunt birds without my dog, so more than 95% of the birds I suppose
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
difficult to say, because I'm sure that some birds are hit and assumed to be missed. Perhaps 10-15%
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
Various, depending on species, habitat, and season. I also handload.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
almost always
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
NO
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
for more than 40 years |
_________________ "At the periphery is where I can come to understand the central issues of living" - Hugh Brody |
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Posted:
Wed May 08, 2019 8:11 am
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Joined: 15 Dec 2011
Posts: 156
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
Never took the time to consider this, but not a bad thing to reflect on. Well over 50% but less than 75%
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
No
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
Yes, a Spaniel
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
All of them so far
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
All of them so far.
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
I use specific shells for each hunting gun I use. The vintage ones get RSTs, the modern ones get either Winchesters save for the 28 which likes Federals. I use 6s in everything but the 28 which gets copper plated 7.5s.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
Not as much as I should.
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
At one point RGS.
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
10 years. |
_________________ Thats right, I'm an armed liberal (SORT OF) and I like to shoot furry little critters.... and I kill 'em with:
12Ga LC Smith
16Ga Fox Sterlingworth
16Ga BRNO
20Ga LC Smith
20Ga Miroku x2 (Model F & Model 500)
28Ga AYA 4/53 (bucket list item #6) |
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Posted:
Wed May 08, 2019 10:15 am
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2815
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Bert,
Thank you sir for your answers, you definitely understood what I was after!
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Wed May 08, 2019 6:05 pm
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Member
![Member Member](images/theavatar.jpg)
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed out right?
I have not tracked killed outright. My rough guess is 50% or less outright. I usually track shells per bird. On preserve birds I am about 1.75 to 1.5 shells on average. On wild birds 2.5 to 3 shells on average.
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season.
Yes, more than 50
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
Yes, setters and labs
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
I lost three birds unrecovered last year. So 90% plus
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
90% plus
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufactuers/size)
Kent #6 Bismuth, when shooting non tox. RST 1oz #7 when shooting factory, 1oz #7 out of RMC brass when shooting reloads.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
Yes, and I have patterned all three I hunt with
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
No longer
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
45 years.
Sorry to take forever to answer |
_________________ Michael
Topeka, KS |
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Posted:
Fri May 17, 2019 3:11 am
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Joined: 02 Jun 2016
Posts: 96
Location: Boreal Shield of Ontario
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1. What percentage of the wild birds that you gun, are killed outright?
Most. I suspect less than 10 % are still alive when retrieved.
2. Do you shoot more than 20 wild birds each season?
Generally, yes
3. Do you own and hunt with a Gun Dog? If so what breed or breeds?
Yes, Pudelpointer female and Black Lab male.
4. What percentage of wild birds does your gun dog/bird dog retrieve each season?
All. PP points them. I shoot them. Lab brings them back.
5. What percentage of winged wild birds, is your gun dog/bird dog unable to retrieve?
I know it happens that some grouse that appear to be completely missed may actually have a pellet in them and I never reflush them and Lab doesn’t locate. Woodcock don’t think ever. Hares 0; ducks probably 10%.
6. What kind of shells do you use when hunting wild birds? (Manufacturers/size)
Kent / Gamebore 2.5 in shells, 1oz 6 or 7.5 for all upland. Kent Bismuth 1 oz #5 for ducks.
7. Do you pattern your shotguns, with the different shells you hunt with?
Yes, but not religiously.
8. Are you a member of RGS/AWS, Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited?
No
9. How many years have you been hunting wild birds?
46 years. My Dad only hunted deer and as a young lad I was only excited about birds. That passion has never changed. Only become stronger with each new gun dog. |
_________________ GOD made a 16 ga and a Pudelpointer; then he rested. RIP MUK may the grouse hold tight for you |
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